Feed additive effect of jatropha (jatropha tangorensis) on haematology of growing rabbits

This study was carried out to determine the effect of Jatropha (Jatropha tangorensis) as feed additive on the hacmotology of growing rabbits. A total number of sixteen rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 4 rabbits per treatment with 2 rabbits per replicate, the rabbits were given a standard routine practices throughout the experiment that lasted for a period of 8 weeks. The Jatropha was included at graded levels of 0g, 50g, 70g, 90g per kg feed in T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. At the end of the experiment, one rabbit was randomly selected per treatment replicate and the blood sample was collected for haematological analysis. There was no significant difference in the haematological values, but the values falls within the normal range and mean values of rabbits. Therefore the results shows that the addition of Jatropha as feed additive to rabbit diets do not alter their haematological parameters. Keywords: Feed additive, Jatropha, haematology and Rabbi

Proximate composition and mineral content of the African snakehead fish Channa obscura

The proximate composition and mineral content of the African snake head, .Channa obscura from the Niger Delta, Nigeria was investigated with a view to provide nutritional data for dietary planning and baseline data for further research. Mean values for proximate composition were: protein 21.02%, fat 4.38%, moisture 67.82%, ash, 2.28%. The P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe contents of the fish samples was 3113.29mg/g, 237.35mg/100g, 332.12mg/100g, 383.25mg/100g, 455.33mg/l00g 0. 76mg/100g and 5.06mg/l00g respectively. Channa obscura thus constitutes a source of high protein, low in fat and source of P, Fe, K and Mg

Effect of varying levels of soybean oil on performance, hematology and serum biochemical indices of laying hens

The study was carried out to determine the effects of soybean oil on performance, hematology and serum biochemical of laying birds. One hundred fifty (150) Isa Brown laying hens at 20 weeks of age were used and the study lasted for 10 weeks in a completely randomized design. The hens were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments namelyT1 (0% Soybean oil), T2 (2.5% Soybean oil), T3 (5% Soybean oil), T4 (7.5% Soybean oil) and T5 (10% Soybean oil). The treatments had 3 replicates with 10 birds each. Weekly body weight, feed consumption, daily egg production and egg weight were measured to determine performance. Blood samples were also collected by the 10th week of the trial for haematological and biochemical serum analyses. The results of the study showed no significant difference (P>0.05) on weight gain/loss, final weight and egg weight, but there was significant difference (P<0.05) in egg production and Feed Efficiency. PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, Platelets, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes were significantly different (P<0.05). Chloride, Bicarbonate, Total Protein and Conjugated Bilirubin also showed significant differences (P<0.05). The study, therefore showed that the use of soybean oil affected egg production and feed efficiency and thus, it can be concluded that soybean oil at 10% inclusion level will increase egg production and also positively affect the RBC and Hb, and therefore, it is recommended to be included in layers’ diets. Keywords: Soybean oil; Performance; Haematology; Laying hen

Effects of Gongronema latifolium (UTAZI) as a feed additive on the performance, organ weights, serum enzymes and lipid profile of broiler chickens

This study examined the effects of dietary Gongronema latifolium leaf meal (Utazi) on the performance and serum biochemicals of broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty (150) unsexed broiler birds were used for the experiment, that lasted for eight (8) weeks. Five (5) dietary treatments; T1 (control), T2, T3, T4, and T5 at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% inclusion of Utazi, were used, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice (3) with 10 birds per replicate. The study revealed that the dressing percentage (%) was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the treatments. However, the final weights (g), weekly weight gains (g), weekly feed intake (g), organ weights (g) and feed conversion ratio showed no significant (P>0.05) difference across the treatments. The results further showed a significantly higher level of the enzymes Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in the control (T1) and T2. The study concluded that Gongronema latifolium leaf meal can be included in broiler feed formulation at a rate of 0.8% (800gm/100kg feed) with no adverse effects, but rather helps liver function and improves the immunity of broilers. It is therefore, recommended to include 0.8% of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal in broiler feed formulation

Effects of Graded Levels of Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Broiler chicks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal (FFPKM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. A total of 120 one-day-old broiler chicks of the ANAC-2000 strain were assigned to 4 experimental groups in a completely randomised experimental design and fed graded levels (0%, 5%, 7% and 9%) of FFPKM as partial replacement for maize for seven weeks (42 days). The experimental groups, which were designated as Treatments A, B, C and D respectively were further replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate so that each group had a total of 30 birds. Treatment A, which contained 0% FFPKM or 100 % maize served as the control. Growth parameters (average final live weight and average daily weight gain), average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined. On day 56 of the experiment, three birds per treatment were randomly selected from each of the replicates, starved overnight and slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Internal organs such as the gizzard, spleen, thigh, shank, breast, wings, neck, jejunum, lung, drum stick, pancreas, heart, liver, duodenum and kidney were removed and grossly examined for any pathological changes. The results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the average final live weight, average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake in the broiler chicks. In birds fed with diets containing FFPKM up to 9%, average daily live weight gain was significantly increased. By contrast, average daily feed intake was significantly decreased with increasing levels of FFPKM in the ration. Consequently, feed conversion ratio was markedly altered in birds receiving 9% FFPKM in the diets. Birds in the control group (0% FFPKM) and 5% FFPKM were less efficient in feed to gain, and significantly (P<0.05) different from treatments C (7% FFPKM) and D (9% FFPKM). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in organ weights (gizzard, spleen, thigh, shank, breast, wings, neck, jejunum, lung, drum stick, pancreas, heart, liver, duodenum and kidney) and some cut parts between the experimental and control groups. There was considerably high abdominal fat deposition in the dressed carcass of broilers fed FFPKM, which was prominent in the gizzards compared to the control group. These results suggest that Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal can replace maize up to 10% in broiler diets without any adverse effects on growth and carcass qualities, and could marginally reduce feed cost in broiler production. Key words: Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal, Body weight gain, Feed intake, Carcass characteristics, Broilers, Organ weight, Gizzard

Influence of turmeric (curcuma longa) as feed additive on the performance, serum enzymes and lipid profile of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with turmeric powder as a natural growth promoter on performance, and serum biochemical profile in broiler chickens. A total of 200 day old broiler chicks (Ross) were allocated to five dietary treatments, with four replicates, having 10 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments consisted of the control diet (T1) with 0% turmeric powder, and then 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%and 1.0%??/100kg of feed with turmeric powder added to T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. Results showed that feed intake was not significantly influenced across the treatments (P>0.05). The average weekly weight gain and final weight of the broilers differed significantly (P<0.05) amongst the treatment groups. Turmeric supplementation showed a significant decrease in FCR and in turn improved feed efficiency. The effects of turmeric on Aspartate amino-transferase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and total cholesterol (TC) increased significantly in the group that received the highest concentration of turmeric. However, this increase is minimal to cause any observable adverse effect. Meanwhile, there was significant increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) among the group that received 1% (100g) Turmeric/100kg feed. There were no significant increase in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride. The result of this study therefore, demonstrates that dietary supplementation of turmeric powder should not exceed 1000g/kg feed in broiler production. It was also shown that turmeric addition had a positive influence on feed conversion ratio thereby improving the weight gain in broiler birds. Keywords: Turmeric; Performance; Serum Enzymes; Lipid Profil

Exploitable socio-economic benefits of mangrove oyster culture to the people of Niger Delta

The Niger Delta, a 30,000 km2 wetland of global ecological significance is located at the southernmost part of Nigeria. The Delta is dissected by a dense network of rivers and creeks of saline and freshwater surface bodies. The brackish water (saline) sector consists of estuaries and intertidal mangrove swamps; the total brackish water area for the Niger Delta estimated at about 7,415 km2. The mangrove oysters grow chiefly in brackish water creeks of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, found attached to the aerial roots of the mangrove Rhizophora racemosa (Red mangrove). Mangroves are salt-tolerant evergreen forests found along sheltered coastlines, shallow-water lagoons, estuaries, rivers or deltas; stands stretching 30-40 km inland with an estimated area of 997, 700 ha in Nigeria. Aquaculture has an important role in the development of many national economies and plays a key role in rural development. The abundance of a natural population of mangrove oysters in the Niger Delta makes seed collectors and growing easier and inexpensive. The culture of mangrove oysters by the locals will contribute significantly to economic growth, increases income and food security, efficient utilization of surplus rural labour and reduced social problems, poverty alleviation, and social stability. This paper enumerates the culture and socio-economic benefits derivable from the practice of aquaculture through the sustainable culture of the native mangrove oysters

Is there any relationship between monetary policy tools and external credit-growth nexus in Nigeria?

The Nigerian economy attracts abundance of foreign capital inflows and credit supply; hence, an adverse external credit shock might lead to a large decrease of external inflows due to global credit tightening, which may leave the domestic economy in deep recession. In this case, domestic monetary policy tools should be preferred to mitigate the external adverse effect on the domestic economy and stimulate investment. As a result, an important issue of concern in this study is how can the use of monetary policy tools mitigate the effect of external credit shocks on economic growth in Nigeria? In answering this question, this study attempted to assess the influence of monetary policy tools on external credit and economic growth nexus in Nigeria, using annual data covering 36 years for the period 1980–2015. The study adopted the Cobb–Douglas production function and estimated a specified model using autoregressive distributed lag cointegration approach. The study found out that cash reserve requirement, which is credit policy easing, is significant in growing the Nigerian economy, as compared to monetary policy rate. The implication of this is that, if credit policy easing is properly implemented, it could be efficient in offsetting adverse external credit shocks

Search for direct production of charginos and neutralinos in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with three electrons or muons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in three signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric models and in simplified models, significantly extending previous results

Jet size dependence of single jet suppression in lead-lead collisions at sqrt(s(NN)) = 2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements of inclusive jet suppression in heavy ion collisions at the LHC provide direct sensitivity to the physics of jet quenching. In a sample of lead-lead collisions at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 7 inverse microbarns, ATLAS has measured jets with a calorimeter over the pseudorapidity interval |eta| < 2.1 and over the transverse momentum range 38 < pT < 210 GeV. Jets were reconstructed using the anti-kt algorithm with values for the distance parameter that determines the nominal jet radius of R = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. The centrality dependence of the jet yield is characterized by the jet "central-to-peripheral ratio," Rcp. Jet production is found to be suppressed by approximately a factor of two in the 10% most central collisions relative to peripheral collisions. Rcp varies smoothly with centrality as characterized by the number of participating nucleons. The observed suppression is only weakly dependent on jet radius and transverse momentum. These results provide the first direct measurement of inclusive jet suppression in heavy ion collisions and complement previous measurements of dijet transverse energy imbalance at the LHC.Comment: 15 pages plus author list (30 pages total), 8 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Physics Letters B. All figures including auxiliary figures are available at http://atlas.web.cern.ch/Atlas/GROUPS/PHYSICS/PAPERS/HION-2011-02